Chapter Text
Last minute decisions have a way of changing fates. If anyone knows this it is Anakin himself. It was Qui Gon’s last minute decision to declare that he would train him that set him down the path as a Jedi. It was also his decision to fall back and wait for his padawan to take on the Sith together that saved his life. It was Anakin’s decision to finally open up to his Master on a mission that let him take off to Tatooine when he was supposed to be helping Qui Gon protect Padme as Obi-Wan hunted the assassin that saved his mothers life. Last minute decisions tended to work in his favor most of the time. Until suddenly it didn't.
It had started out normal; he was watching from afar in the back of the room covered by the shadows as Obi-Wan sparred with Quinlan. He would never admit it out loud to anyone but this was one of his favorite things to witness. Obi-Wan never disappointed in a duel. There was always something new to see or be awed over as he glided from one form to another with ease. Anakin watched his every move with the same amount of attention he had as a youngling. His all.
He made his move to approach when Obi-Wan finally disarmed Quinlan. He wasn't sure who he was more annoyed with. Obi-Wan for drawing out the match or Quinlan for being on the receiving end of Obi-Wan's smile and laugh. Shaking his head slightly to clear those thoughts he called out. “You're losing your edge old man.”
He could practically see Obi-Wan’s annoyance on his face even if he kept his voice even. “Who do I owe for the pleasure of your company, Anakin?”
“That would be the Council.”He came to a stop close by. He received only a nod in response before Obi-Wan moved to gather his outer robes. Quin moved to do the same and making small talk that lasted until they went their separate ways. Once parted Obi-Wan picked up speed much to Anakin’s voiced annoyance.
He received a,“We shouldn't keep the Council waiting longer than necessary.”
“Maybe you should have ended the duel sooner when you had the chance.”,he muttered back.
“Caught that did you? I had wondered.” Obi-Wan answered with a smirk. Anakin nearly choked on air.
“You knew I was there?!”,he asked. His face already starting to heat up.
“Of course.” Obi-Wan responded as if it was the most obvious thing. Anakin kept his peace the rest of the way. Too busy trying to cool his face without drawing attention from the man beside him.
They were to be sent out to aid their former Master. Anakin was internally groaning and sent a small prayer to the Force. That this will not be the mission that he loses all patients with Obi-Wan and either kills him or kisses him. He hasn't quite decided which he’d prefer yet. And it seems as if the Force has taken pity on him.
An urgent message had been sent to the Council as they were finishing up the details of their mission. Sepertist were pushing in on an Outer Rim planet unprepared for war. They needed help immediately. Chatter broke out as present Masters debated on what should be done, forgetting that Anakin and Obi-Wan were still there. Or they would have if Obi-Wan had not spoken up.
“Forgive me but if I may offer a solution?”
The room fell silent and all eyes turned towards Obi-Wan.
“I would suggest sending Anakin along with the 501st to aid Master Jinn. Their battalions are familiar with each other and work well together. Master Unduli is close enough in the sector to be able to provide aerial support. Which would leave me open to come to the aid of Yenia without moving anyone too far from their current positions or missions.”
It was a neat solution and it worked in all of their favors. He could see that and so could the Council. It was readily agreed upon and relieved them all. Internally Anakin snorted. They should just give him a seat at this point. He was always involved in Council affairs anyways.
They exited the Council room with their new orders and walked in silence once more until it came time for them to part ways to their respective rooms. He watched for a moment as Obi-Wan walked away.
“Obi-Wan. ” he called out softly. So softly that he thought he wasn't going to be heard. But of course he was. Obi-wan stopped and turned to face him once more. Anakin held his gaze, "Dont… ”, he trailed off not finishing it. He didn't need to. He could see it in Obi-Wan’s eyes that he understood. Don't die.
Obi-Wan kept his gaze and nodded back with just as soft a tone as he used and replied, “ You too .” Before continuing on his way.
Anakin had left the next morning and that had been the last he had seen of Obi-Wan or the Temple for three weeks. The battle had been long and hard fought but it had been successful. He hadn't even minded the post negotiations that took place that usually bored him to tears. He was ready to be home though. He hadn't thought much of Obi-Wan not being back in the Temple the first week he was back. Some missions can take months. So he wasn’t worried. At least he wasn't until Ahsoka sought him out. She hadn't heard from Obi-Wan in over a week and her unofficial bond with him had gone silent. She was worried. Which made him worry.
Everyone knew that Ahsoka was on the verge of aging out completely at the almost age of fourteen but everyone also knew that Obi-Wan was going to offer for her. He had heard himself of Obi-Wan's talk with other Masters on the proper way to put in a request for a specific Initiate. He always kept in contact with her. A little message here and there, even if it was short, made its way to her but never was there silence for more than a week.
He promised her to find out for her. It seemed to lift some of her worry though he could tell not enough from the slump of her shoulders. He spent the rest of his day hunting down any of Obi-Wan’s friends to see if they had heard anything.
Nothing.
He fell into a restless sleep that night and woke up determined to find the answers that day. He started with his Master. Entering his quarters he was surprised to find Yoda there with Qui Gon.
“Tea, Anakin?” Qui Gon inquired. He accepted out of habit and took the place next to his former Master.
“Fortunate it is that you came.” Yoda addressed him.”Seeking knowledge you are. Come to share it, I have.”
“And what is that, Master?” Qui Gon asked.
“Questions being asked about Obi-Wan.” Yoda said. Anakin could feel his ears start to heat up. “Worried you are.”
“Not necessarily.” Anakin tried to back peddle. “It’s just that Ahsoka came to me with her concern and I offered to help find out for her.”
Yoda merely fixed him with a look that spoke volumes but held his peace.
“What is this about Obi-Wan?” Qui Gon interjected. Concern clear in his voice.
“Lost contact with him and his battalion, we have. Over a week it had been. All attempts to reach him have gone unanswered.” Yoda lowered his cup to the table and his ears followed suit. “Send someone we shall, to check on him.”
Anakin felt his heart speed up. Obi-Wan hadn't checked in. Obi- Wan had gone comm silent. Obi-Wan- “I'll go.” He blurted out before he could really register it.
He received a slow shake of Yoda’s head in return. “Too far we are. Master Plo’s ship is the closest. Report back he will.”
It was a day and a half later when they got word that Plo had reached the planet and Obi-Wan’s ship was nowhere to be found. According to local leaders they had just missed them. To make the news better was that the planet was secured. Anakin visibly brightened at all of this. His mind was relieved. Obi-Wan’s comms were just down. That's all.
So he waited. Impatiently, he’d admit but he did. Two days later he was rewarded with a message that Obi-Wan’s ship had requested clearance to land. He owed Rex one. It would only be a matter of time before Obi-Wan’s transport made its way back to the Temple’s hangers. He sent a message to Qui Gon and left to go in search of Ahsoka. She will want to be there.
By the time they made it there, there was a small crowd. Mace and Yoda stood close to the hanger doors with Qui Gon beside them as they watched the transport come in. He felt Ahsoka vibrating with energy beside him. Nugging her forward she sent him a thankful smile as she joined the others. Anakin decided to hang back and watch from afar.
However it wasn't Obi-wan who disembarked first. It was Cody. And in Cody’s hand was a lightsaber.
Anakin felt more then really saw the moment the others noticed it too. Anakin felt his emotions threaten to take him over and turned to flee as Cody presented the saber to Yoda. He couldn't watch anymore of this.
Distantly he hears Qui Gon call out his name but he couldn't- wouldn’t stop.
Qui Gon had wanted to run after Anakin but he had an almost grandpadawan to comfort first. Then and only then he searched the Temple for Anakin and found that he was shielding himself too well. Qui Gon wasn't going to be granted access to Anakin’s location. With a heavy sigh he slowly made his way to Obi-Wan’s rooms. He wanted to be alone with what he had left of his former padawan to grieve in peace.
He made his way towards the bedroom and stepped in only to be shocked at what he found there. There in Obi-Wan’s bed curled up around a familiar brown robe was Anakin. Anakin lifted his head to glare at the intruder but turned his tear stained face back down upon realizing it was Qui Gon.
“Anakin.” Qui Gon uttered in a soft comforting voice he had used often with him as a youngling. It seemed to be the wrong thing to do for Anakin to started to cry anew. He could barely make out what he was saying but he caught more than enough to break his heart further.
“He cant be gone.” came a muffled denial. “He can't just leave me -” a sob caught off the rest of his words.
He had once suspected that Anakin's feelings toward Obi-Wan had run deeper than mere annoyance and at one point given anything to be proven right. Now he would just give anything to have Obi-Wan back. Both for his heart and now Anakin’s.